be - definition and synonyms

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary. Click on the thesaurus category heading under the button in an entry to see the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

In conversation or informal writing am can be shortened to ’m, is can be shortened to ’s, and are can be shortened to ’re: I’m so glad you came. ♦ Kay’s still at the office. ♦ We’re leaving tomorrow.

These short forms can be followed by not to make negative sentences: I’m not surprised. ♦ She’s not very strong. ♦ You’re not helping.

Negative forms can also be shortened: am not can be shortened to aren’t (but only in questions), is not can be shortened to isn’t, are not can be shortened to aren’t, was not can be shortened to wasn’t, and were not can be shortened to weren’t: I’m next, aren’t I? ♦ Tom isn’t coming. ♦ They weren’t very nice.